Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of the Broadly Neutralizing Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-1 Monoclonal Antibody VRC01 in HIV-Exposed Newborn Infants.

Background: Although mother-to-child human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission has dramatically decreased with maternal antiretroviral therapy, breast milk transmission accounts for most of the 180 000 new infant HIV infections annually. Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAb) may further reduce transmission.

Methods: A Phase 1 safety and pharmacokinetic study was conducted: a single subcutaneous (SC) dose of 20 or 40 mg/kg (Dose Groups 1 and 2, respectively) of the bNAb VRC01 was administered to HIV-exposed infants soon after birth.

The Thai phase III trial (RV144) vaccine regimen induces T cell responses that preferentially target epitopes within the V2 region of HIV-1 envelope.

The Thai HIV phase III prime/boost vaccine trial (RV144) using ALVAC-HIV (vCP1521) and AIDSVAX B/E was, to our knowledge, the first to demonstrate acquisition efficacy. Vaccine-induced, cell-mediated immune responses were assessed. T cell epitope mapping studies using IFN-γ ELISPOT was performed on PBMCs from HIV-1-uninfected vaccine (n = 61) and placebo (n = 10) recipients using HIV-1 Env peptides.

Accelerating the development of an AIDS vaccine: the AIDS vaccine for Asia Network (Avan).

HIV/AIDS is a major public health problem worldwide, especially in developing countries. The development of a safe and effective HIV vaccine is central to stopping the epidemic and would be a great public health tool. The AIDS Vaccine for Asia Network (AVAN) is a group of concerned investigators committed to assisting regional and global HIV vaccine efforts.